Newport Beach travel concierge wants to help, from ordinary to exotic

Vakast Concierge of Newport Beach can set up a variety of travel activities (including zip-lining) for travelers.

Vakast Concierge of Newport Beach can set up a variety of travel activities (including zip-lining) for travelers. (Vakast Concierge)

Valli Herman

Newport Beach travel concierge wants to handle your travel needs, from the expected to the surprising

Vakast, a Newport Beach-based online travel agency, is aiming to fill the gap between anonymous Internet travel booking and bespoke vacation planning with Vakast Concierge, a personalized service program that launches Wednesday (today).

Vakast Concierge agents will be available by email or telephone around the clock to book the expected -- vacation homes, hotels and car rentals -- but also the unexpected: private jet charters, personal chefs, grocery delivery, concert and museum tickets, party entertainers and a diversity of activities such as shopping, golfing, surfing, shark diving or even zip-lining.

The service also offers referrals to fitness trainers and babysitters; spas and salons; housekeepers, butlers and drivers; yoga, dance, tennis and cooking classes; and even mail services such as couriers, messengers and writing thank-you cards.

Monique Berry, Vakast chief operating officer, says the service will help eliminate the use of multiple sites and agencies and provide travelers with trusted resources worldwide.

Before Wednesday, a more limited concierge service was available free only for one week before and during a trip booked through Vakast.com. Now, however, expanded services are available for longer time frames in three types of plans.